The prevalence of femoroacetabular impingement in radiographs of asymptomatic subjects: a cross-sectional study

• Published in: Hip international Vol. 25; no. 3; p. 258
• Main Authors: Diesel, Cristiano Valter, Ribeiro, Tiango Aguiar, Scheidt, Rodrigo Benedet, Macedo, Carlos Alberto de Souza, Galia, Carlos Roberto
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.05.2015
• Subjects: Adult; Brazil - epidemiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Femoracetabular Impingement - diagnostic imaging; Femoracetabular Impingement - epidemiology; Hip Joint - diagnostic imaging; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Radiography; Retrospective Studies; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1724-6067
• DOI: 10.5301/hipint.5000250

There is a lack of uniformity in the diagnostic criteria for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), and few studies discuss the prevalence of radiographic changes in asymptomatic individuals. These factors make it difficult to establish a natural history of this disease. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of radiographic signs of CAM and Pincer FAI in an asymptomatic population. A cross-sectional study was performed from July 2013 to December 2013. A total of 185 subjects were analysed. no history of hip pain or orthopedic disease; and being 20-60 years old. athletically active; or patients who would not allow acquisition of appropriate radiographs for analysis. Radiographs were obtained in anteroposterior and Dünn 45° view to access: alpha angle (AA), triangular index (TI), crossover sign (CS), lateral-centre edge (LCE) angle and acetabular index (AI). Median age was 34 years (27-49.5) and FAI was present in 53% of all subjects. 32.44% (60) was the overall CAM-type prevalence and 42.7% (79) the overall Pincer-type prevalence. Only 2 subjects presented the 3 overcoverage signs (AI, LCE and CS). An association was noted between the presence of AI <0° and the LCE >40° (p = 0.05). Our study established a higher prevalence of radiographic markers of FAI in an asymptomatic population.